April 12, 2012 - Barton Malow Company, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), the Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Partnering Contractors signed a formal partnership today to protect workers at the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Campus Regeneration Project. The MIOSHA program is part of LARA.

The partnership goal is enhanced safety and health protection and zero injuries for workers on this major new facility project.

"We are proud to recognize Barton Malow's commitment to send every construction worker home healthy and whole, every day. Their record of zero injuries to date is exemplary," said LARA Deputy Director Rob Nederhood. "And we're also proud of this outstanding project that will enhance the services provided by St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital."

Barton Malow Company is currently constructing the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Campus Regeneration Project, a $129 million dollar investment for Trinity Health. Construction of the new, contemporary design, 8-story South Patient Bed Tower began in January 2012 and will be completed in December of 2013. The 301,000 square foot building will initially have 136 private bedrooms. The sixth and seventh floors will be shelled for future expansion. The hospital's main entrance will be redesigned with skylights and other amenities. A pedestrian bridge will connect associate parking on the east side of Woodward Avenue with the main hospital.

"We are proud and grateful to be a part of the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Campus Regeneration project," said Ryan Maibach, President, Barton Malow Company. "Establishing this Partnership demonstrates our commitment to the health and safety of everyone who works on, or visits the project. Working at a facility dedicated to improving the health of the community reinforces our resolve to successfully partner for a zero injury project."

Partnerships are an important emphasis in MIOSHA's Strategic Plan to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative relationships with groups, including trade associations, labor organizations, and employers. Partnerships move away from traditional enforcement methods and embrace collaborative agreements.

"These kinds of partnerships are becoming increasingly common in Michigan, and we couldn't be happier about it," said Patrick Devlin, Secretary-Treasurer, Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. "There is no better way that we can improve the on-the-job health of the state's construction workers than making these kinds of sustained commitments to safety."

The Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council and its affiliate unions are supportive of this partnership. The partnering unions include: Asbestos Workers Local 25; Bricklayers Local 1; Boilermakers Local 169; Cement Masons Local 514; Elevator Constructors Local 36; Sign, Glaziers and Glassworkers Local 357; I.B.E.W. Local 58; Ironworkers Local 25; Laborers Locals 499, 1076 and 1191; Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters; Operating Engineers Local 324; Painters D.C. No. 22; Pictorial & Display Workers Local 591; Pipefitters Local 636; Plasterers Local 67; Plumbers Local 98; Roofers Local 149; Sheet Metal Locals 80 and 292; Sprinkler Fitters Local 704; Teamsters Local 247; and Tile, Marble & Terrazzo Local 32.

The "St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Partnership Agreement" has been established to raise awareness and promote safety for all personnel employed in the construction project. Barton Malow Company, the partnering trade unions and subcontractors endorse the ultimate goal of ZERO INJURIES on this project.

Recognizing that engineering techniques alone are not enough to ensure that exposure to hazards is controlled, the partnering employers will implement common efforts to assure safety through these elements:

All Crane Operators will be Certified Crane Operators (CCO) as recognized by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

Substance abuse testing through a corporate program, M.U.S.T., or equivalent program - adherence by ALL trade contractors.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) are to be completed daily and submitted to Barton Malow Company prior to beginning the work. JHAs should be posted at the work area. Safety huddles are used to facilitate worker input.

The project will require employees to participate in a stretch and flex program each morning.

Contractors shall provide a Competent and/or Qualified Person for work operations as identified by MIOSHA standards.

Barton Malow Company and the partnering employers on this project will uniformly enforce a disciplinary action plan for employees who fail to work in a safe manner.

Barton Malow will conduct a jobsite safety orientation for all employees working on the project.

"The MIOSHA program is dedicated to working with employers to find innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health," said Martha Yoder, MIOSHA Director. "Through partnerships, MIOSHA can offer employers a voluntary, cooperative relationship to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health."

The partnership does not preclude MIOSHA from enforcing its mission of addressing complaints, fatalities, or serious accidents, nor does it infringe on the rights of employees to report workplace hazards.

Barton Malow Company provides construction management, design-build, program management, general contracting, technology and equipment installation services throughout North America. The ISO quality certified company is an industry leader in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Niche market specialties include healthcare, special event facilities, educational, federal, industrial, and energy. Barton Malow has a staff of over 1,200 in 13 offices and is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. Annual firm revenues exceed $1 billion. For additional information visit www.bartonmalow.com or follow the firm on Twitter www.twitter.com/bartonmalow.

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